The best thing about running a blog is coming across stuff you didn’t hear back in the day. So thanks Mike for sharing a “new” 80’s/90’s band/ project , Voice Farm were from San Francisco, California and remind me of a synth version of the B-52’s. Vocalist Charly Brown and sound designer Myke Reilly actually met in 1980 and made witty comment about popular culture through use of samples and synths. A dancier Negativland!
Voice Farm Featuring The Super E.Q. Team – Hey Freethinker (US 12″)
From 1991 and a jaunty slice of synthpop. Featuring the “Super E.Q. Team” (various sampled and treated voices) The actual samples of the day were not too overly used. Sounds like Jan Hammer in places but weird and wacky enough. B-side “Follow The Lonely” is a Stax soul tribute with funk and sampled orchestra with Bryan Ferry style vocals.
NEW LINK 2022
Morgan Creek Records – 2959-26006-1 
| A1 | Hey Freethinker (Extended Dance Version) | 7:49 |
| A2 | Hey Freethinker (Album Version) | 5:49 |
| B1 | Hey Freethinker (Dub Version) | 4:50 |
| B2 | Follow The Lonely | 3:45 |
Voice Farm – Free Love (US Remix)
Risque themes are investigated here with the playful 12″ from 1991. Fun to be had in all the mixes. Catchy as a big catchy thing with the worryingly titled “Brutal Sexuality Mix” being the choice cut. I’m getting a Bronski Beat vibe! Gotta love the commercial dance vibe of the “New York Mix” with extra keyboards from Peter Schwartz and clean production by The Hit Factories, Michael Hutchinson.
NEW LINK 2022
Morgan Creek Records – MCPRO 0001-1 
| A1 | Free Love (New York Mix) | 7:14 |
| A2 | Free Love (Radio Edit) | 3:49 |
| B1 | Free Love (Brutal Sexuality Mix) | 7:45 |
| B2 | Free Love (Dub Mix) | 5:27 |
Voice Farm – Johnny Belinda (US 12″)
Last offering is this earlier release from 1987 on the legendary Ralph Records (where Yello first released stuff) More primitive sounding and experimental and my current favourite, all about a weekend Transvestite. Remixed by Sir Arthur who did some Skinny Puppy stuff around the same time. The instrumental version has some great sounds and spacey layers. The B-side “Super EQ Team” is an hypnotic instrumental with more random samples. Definitely ahead of their time, love it!
NEW LINK 2022
Ralph Records – RR 87561
A1 –Johnny Belinda: Extended Dance Mix –6:48
A2 –Johnny Belinda: Instrumental –7:27
B – Super EQ Team: Extended Dance Mix – 7:22
From 1987 and Erasure had released just 2 albums and were really at the start of their illustrious career. But they managed to release this album of remixes and alternative versions as a double album, with both discs running at 45 rpm. Great packaging from the Me Company and getting an orchestra in for 3 tracks (which are the highlights) proved how much Daniel Miller and Mute had faith in the duo. They even get the legendary Little Louie Vega to do some remixes, his remix of “Hideaway” is another highlight.
Mike got me excited with this little offering because I thought I had heard, and got most, of Bill Nelson’s many releases. I quick look on Discogs and I was way out! This was when Nelson was signed to a semi-major, Portrait Records in the late 80’s where he put out a very commercial album, “Getting Across The Holy Ghost – On A Blue Wing” which had a lot of mystical, quasi religious symbolism and was totally ignored by the record buying public. Co-produced by Steve Nye the album saw Nelson make great use of all the studio tricks and it still doesn’t sound like it was from 1986. A very young Justin Strauss and Murray Elias provided the remixes. The “Popstand Remix” keeping true to the album version with a different drum pattern. Definite Japan influences with brother Ian Nelson providing some excellent saxophone.
myvinyldreams 